Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Dolly Diaper Bag + Tutorial

Every time my daughter goes through the American Girl Catalog, the Bitty Baby Diaper Bag is always at the top of her wishlist. At $36 I can hardly justify buying it, so I decided to recreate it for her. I made 2 (one for each of my girls) for far less than the price of one Bitty Baby Diaper Bag. These don't come with all the goodies the real one does, but I am hoping they will still be a hit for Christmas this year. :)

Supplies needed to make this bag:

--1/2 to 3/4 yard main fabric

--1/2 yard coordinating fabric for the liner

--1/2 to 3/4 yard fusible fleece

--thread

--small piece of cardboard

*** Updated 2013: Use a piece of fusible Peltex instead of the cardboard.***

--Velcro

(I kinda guessed with the yardage because I just used supplies I had on hand, but if you are buying fabric specifically for this project- get a little extra just to be on the safe side! Sorry it is not more precise!)

To start, get all of the cutting done...

This bag measures 10 in(l)x 8 in(h) x 5 in (w)

If you wanted your bag smaller or bigger you can just calculate the difference when cutting your fabric

MAIN FABRIC:

8x11= 2 pieces {front and back of bag}

8x6= 2 pieces {side of bag}

6x11= 1 piece {bottom of bag}

5x11= 2 pieces {flaps for bag}

4x20= 2 pieces {straps for bag}

COORDINATING FABRIC:

8x11= 2 pieces {LINER: front and back of bag}

8x6=2 pieces {LINER: side of bag}

6x11= 1 piece {LINER: bottom of bag}

5x11= 2 pieces{LINER: flaps for bag}

FUSIBLE FLEECE:

8x11= 2 pieces

8x6= 2 pieces

5x11= 2 pieces

***Updated 2013- Fusible Peltex:

5 1/4 x 10 1/4 inch piece of fusible peltex for the base of the bag- apply this (it will be slightly smaller than the base of the bag to allow for the seam allowance to reduce bulk) to the base piece instead of the fusible fleece as I mention in the tutorial. This will work a lot better than the cardboard since the cardboard just moves around once the bag is sewn.***

Step 1: Take all of the main pieces of fabric and iron the fusible fleece to each piece (the only ones that shouldn't have fleece are the 2 4x20 inch pieces of fabric for the straps.)

Step 2: Take the 2 8x6 inch (side panels) of fabric and line them up with one of the 8x11 inch (front panel) of fabric and sew them to the sides (right side together). Then take the other 8x11 inch (back panel) and sew. When you are done, it should look like this.

Step 3: Then pin and sew the 6x11 inch piece to the bottom of the bag. Turn right side out. (I ironed the seams once turned right side out so that the bag had more of a rectangle shape.)

Step 4: (forgot to take a picture of this step) Fold and press the top edge of the bag in towards the inside of the bag 1/2 inch all the way around.

Step 5: Take the 5 pieces of the coordinating fabric for the liner and put them together the same way you did in step 2-3 except don't turn right side out when you are done.

Step 6: Measure the bottom of the bag and cut a piece of cardboard to fit exactly in the base of the bag. This will help the bag keep it's shape when there are things in it. Once the cardboard is in, place the liner bag inside the main bag.

*** EDITED 2013: if you add the fusible Peltex in here to the bottom panel- it would work better than the cardboard since the cardboard can move around!***

Step 7: Take the 4 pieces of fabric that are 5x11 inches and use a cup to trace and cut the top edges of each piece of fabric so they are rounded.

Step 8: Take one liner and one main piece of fabric and place them right sides together and sew along all but the bottom edge of the fabric.

Step 9: Turn right side out and top stitch along the edge. Do steps 8-9 to the other flap.

Step 10: Take the two 4x20 inch pieces of fabric for the straps and fold and iron each strap in half wrong side together (hot dog style). After it is pressed nicely so you can see the line, open up so that the wrong side of the fabric is facing up. Fold each of the edges toward the center and press. After you are done pressing the edges to the center, fold back in half. (All the raw edges should be on the very inside of the strap now) Press one more time really well.

Step 11: Sew along each side of each strap to secure.

Step 11: Tuck the flaps and straps in between the outside and liner of the bag and pin.

Step 12: Sew all the way around the top of the bag to secure the flaps and straps to the bag. (take the pins out as you go so you don't have puckers in the liner underneath.

Step 13: Sew a couple pieces of velcro to the flaps.

And you are done!

I can't wait to see the looks on my girls faces Christmas morning when they open these dolly diaper bags up! :)

Wow, you are amazing! Those are the cutest little diaper bags EVER! My girls would go crazy over them! Thanks for the tutorial! I did some sewing tonight, and got frustrating, so my sewing machine & I need a break. I wish it came a little more natural for me. I really have to work at it. :) You do a beautiful job though!

Those bags are just the cutest cutest little things. I LOVE the fabric and I LOVE that you put minky in them. You can totally whip up some things to go in them. I did baby doll diaper bags for my girls last year and made a little wipes case out of felt, wipes (rectangle pieces of felt), a blanket, and a little outfit. Then I just purchased plastic baby doll diapers from Target. I can't get over how much I love that pink/yellow minky combo you did. I need someone to make another one for - I love yours. Good job!!!!

Gorgeous! My daughter is 1, and we somehow got an AG catalogue. She loves to look at it already. I'm in trouble. Ideas like these are something I pin right away, because I KNOW I'm going to need them.:)

I've been wanting to make a doll diaper bag for my 3 year old daughter. I had previously bookmarked a tutorial to use, but I will definitely be using yours. The bags are cuter and the tutorial is easier to follow! Thank you so much!

I have a diaper bag halfway finished for my granddaugter's Middleton doll that I purchased her for Christmas. Guess what? I'm scrapping that one and will make her this one. I love it and so will she. Thanks for sharing! Found you from the post on UCREATE.

I can't believe you're just all over the blogosphere making these amazing things! I am very amazed at all you do with two little girls nipping at your heels. BTW, I am about to have my THIRD girly! Are you serious. Oh well, what're you gonna do?? How is Savannah? Maybe someday I'll get the energy to make something too... Keep it up cute girl!

Thanks for Sharing!! It's on my to-do list this month to make a Diaper Bag for my little girl. Like you, I can hardly swallow $36 + shipping cost!! Now that I ran across your's, I can repeat and not try to completely recreate my own.

Oh man, this is SO adorable! You put together a beautiful tutorial, and a really professional-looking mini diaper bag! PLEASE come and link this up to the Head to Head Showdown, going on right now at www.icantstopcrafting Oh, and feel free to link up any of your recent fave projects from your blog, I'd love to see 'em! ~Jen

These are the cutest diaper bags!!! I am definitely making BOTH my girls one of these for Christmas :) They will love them for sure! Thanks so much for taking the time to post this- I really appreciate people like you who are willing to share their patterns and talents!

Working on these now for the 4 little girls in my life! Your pics and instructions are wonderful!! Can't wait to see how they turn out! BTW, I've embroidered their names on each of their bags and I think it's going to look great. Thanks so much for taking the time to share--love your blog!

A great pattern! Thanks! I whipped one up for my niece for her third birthday. I know she will love it. If you'd like to see my version, I posted pics on my blog (of course I linked up to yours for proper credit!). thanks

So cute! The fabrics you chose are adorable. I had hoped to make doll diapers to put in my my 2 year olds Christmas stocking, but it didn't happen. Now I"m shooting for her birthday in April, and this would make a great addition. I might have to bring Grandma in if I really want it to get done though.

I am just writing to let you understand what a awesome encounter my friend's girl found viewing the blog. She came to find several details, most notably how it is like to possess a marvelous helping nature to have many more easily master specific tricky things. You really exceeded visitors' expected results. Thanks for showing the practical, trusted, informative and unique tips on that topic to Lizeth.Steve Madden Women's Troopa Ankle Boot

Thank you so very much for posting this! We wanted to do something personal and special for our granddaughter's Easter gift. I made this for her and she loved it! Posting to my blog with TOTAL credit to you and a link back here!Thanks again!Annhttp://anncanscrap.blogspot.com/

So glad I found this! My daughter has a million and one baby dolls and no diaper bag. She found an old bible of mine in a handled cover and started carrying it around while pushing her babies. I instantly felt horrible that I had not thought to make her a diaper bag for her babies. So I made a blanket, and burp cloths tonight and plan to sketch out the diaper bag pattern. Thank you a bunch!

I LOVE this!!! I need to make one for my daughter for Christmas. When I do bag bottoms I use craft foam sheets so the bag is still washable - you just can't put it through the dryer. Thank you so much for sharing!!!

I featured this at Sinful Sewing & Sweets as part of my 30 Sew-Made Holiday Ideas. Check it out at http://sinfulsweetsandsewing.blogspot.com/2012/11/day-2-doll-accesorries.html Thanks for the cute idea, Kandice

Thank you so much for the tutorial!! I found your blog via Pinterest while searching for a pattern for a doll diaper bag, so glad I did!! I made the diaper bag today/tonight and just posted on it at my blog: http://homecozy.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/dolly-diaper-bag/

Very cute bag! I am currently sewing it but have trouble finishing it because of the thickness when I am sewing the straps, inner liner, and flaps. My needle keeps breaking because too thick. How do I fix this problem, I am a beginner. Thank you!!Jessicawingard@bellsouth.net

My baby has been on Honest diapers since she was born. They are soft, quilted, and worked really well for watery poop. I would love to keep her on Honest. When she outgrew size 3, I bought small packs of size 4 diapers for her to try. They fits babies well. They are smaller, thinner and softerhonest diapers

I just made my first diaper bag and it was a success. Well, it might not be the greatest sewing but I think it turned out well. Sewing with that minky fabric was not easy but I made it through. Thank you for the great tutorial.

Thanks Debbie... I have never made a full size but I am sure you could probably do some math and calculate what dimensions you were hoping for. I have never done a pocket inside but I think it could totally be done with one! :)

Why not leave the cardboard out, finish the bag, then make a small pillow case type cover to put the cardboard in. This would not move around and could be easily removed when the bag needs to be washed. Cardboard has a tendency to 'fall apart' when washed.

Thanks for this tutorial! I just finished making my first one. My girls are going to flip over these when I give them to them for Easter. I made mine slightly larger than yours so that my girls could use their bag as a bed for their Baby Alive dolls, if they wish. I also added pockets to my dimple minky liner.

Thanks for your tutorial and photos! I make one with little arrangements for my little boy who plays with his doudou (name in french...) since I'm pregnant. I m from France. By!http://mesfabrications.canalblog.com/

I am making this right now for my granddaughter who will be 2 on Saturday. I think I am going to add pockets inside, Willow loves her babies! I also make little diapers for my granddaughters dolls. I have 6 granddaughters so I have made a few! Such an easy pattern to follow and I love the other crafts you have shared also!

I made this adorable doll diaper bag for my 5 year old granddaughter over the weekend. She had been carrying her doll clothes in a dollar store storage bin. She had mentioned to me that she wanted a diaper bag for her babies so I decided to give it a try. I bought some purple material with butterflies on it. She kept telling me to make her something in butterflies so I found some really cute fabric from walmart and headed home, anxious to start on it. I surprised my self because I've only been sewing a few weeks making simple dress patterns and maxi dresses. I have to say I was happy that it turned out well because my granddaughter absolutely loves it!! And that makes me happy. Thank you for the free tutorial. I couldn't have made it without the tutorial. Xoxoxoxo